General internal medicine physicians
SOC Code: 29-1216
General internal medicine physicians carries a 19% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $236,350 and +3.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 73,200 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
General internal medicine physicians (SOC 29-1216) carries an AI exposure score of 19%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 73,200 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +3.3% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $236,350, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Doctoral or professional degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes General internal medicine physicians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Analyze records, reports, test results, or examination information to diagnose medical condition of patient.
- 2. Treat internal disorders, such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, or problems of the lung, brain, kidney, or gastrointestinal tract.
- 3. Prescribe or administer medication, therapy, and other specialized medical care to treat or prevent illness, disease, or injury.
- 4. Manage and treat common health problems, such as infections, influenza or pneumonia, as well as serious, chronic, and complex illnesses, in adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
- 5. Provide and manage long-term, comprehensive medical care, including diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases, for adult patients in an office or hospital.
- 6. Explain procedures and discuss test results or prescribed treatments with patients.
- 7. Advise patients and community members concerning diet, activity, hygiene, and disease prevention.
- 8. Make diagnoses when different illnesses occur together or in situations where the diagnosis may be obscure.
- 9. Refer patient to medical specialist or other practitioner when necessary.
- 10. Monitor patients' conditions and progress and reevaluate treatments as necessary.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace General internal medicine physicians?
General internal medicine physicians has an AI exposure score of 19%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for General internal medicine physicians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, General internal medicine physicians is projected to grow by 3.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 73,200 workers.
What skills are needed for General internal medicine physicians?
Key skills for General internal medicine physicians include Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, and others. Typical entry-level education is Doctoral or professional degree.
How much do General internal medicine physicians earn?
The median annual wage for General internal medicine physicians is $236,350, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for General internal medicine physicians?
The typical entry-level education for General internal medicine physicians is Doctoral or professional degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Internship/residency. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ General internal medicine physicians?
General internal medicine physicians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).